Nathan Jones is relishing in the options he has to pick from for today’s visit of Wigan Athletic and says he doesn’t view it as a selection headache.
Luton are on a three-game unbeaten streak with two impressive wins on the road in South Wales against Swansea and Cardiff, which saw two players return from injury and make game-changing contributions in Tuesday’s 2-1 win in the principality’s capital.
Fred Onyedinma provided the assist for Luke Freeman’s opener and then Gabriel Osho bagged the winner.
On top of that Harry Cornick, Alfie Doughty and Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu are all back in training, though skipper Sonny Bradley has been missing on compassionate leave grounds.
But in preparing and picking a side to face newly-promoted Wigan, Jones is delighted with the options at his disposal.
He said: “I haven’t got a headache! It’s just good choices, good strength, and the games come thick and fast so coming off the back of a big shift and a big journey down the M4 and we might need to freshen things up.
“But having those options and the people to do that and have the desire to do it, because again, coming off the bench we had four game-changers that really contributed to the win the other night and that is all we can ask for. Two directly but two really saw the game out and we were really happy.”
The last time Luton faced Wigan was in the March 2020 at the DW Stadium, which proved the final game before Covid saw the suspension of all football.
Goalkeeper Simon Sluga pulled off a world-class save to earn a point which has been credited as a significant moment in the Great Escape that Jones returned to the hotseat for and engineered.
Wigan were relegated instead that season but won promotion last term and have achieved a solid one win and four draws in their six-game return to the Championship.
But with experienced players like James McClean, Max Power and Graeme Shinnie – the brother of former Hatters hero Andrew – Jones believes the Latics have the talent required to remain in the second tier.
“They have an excellent squad,” said the Town chief. “It will be tough, they have continuity because they got promoted and a promoted side are always dangerous, especially one that has the experience and the know what they do so it will be the toughest of games.
“We love playing at home, we are looking forward to the game because we enjoy working hard and competing against good sides and Wigan are a good side.
“They will be very tough opposition and I’m sure they will do well in the Championship because they are equipped to do it. They have a manager who is experienced and knows the level, and they have enough experience in the squad to know the level so it will be a very tough game.”
